May 29th is National Biscuit Day, an annual celebration in both the United States and the United Kingdom dedicated to honoring the diverse flavors and varieties of biscuits. In the UK, National Biscuit Day serves as a day to express appreciation for biscuits. Meanwhile, in the US, the holiday takes on various meanings. For some, National Biscuit Day becomes a delightful activity for children, offering them a chance to practice cutting and create imaginative biscuit displays.

History of Biscuits in the UK

Biscuits have been part of British cuisine for centuries, with their origins dating back to the Roman Empire. The word "biscuit" itself comes from the Latin "bis coctus," meaning "twice baked," a method used to create a dry, long-lasting bread. Biscuits were initially baked to provide sustenance on long journeys or for military purposes due to their long shelf life.

In the 17th century, biscuits evolved into more delicate treats, incorporating sugar and other flavorings, and by the Victorian era, biscuits became a staple in British households, especially as part of afternoon tea rituals. Companies such as McVitie’s, Fox’s, and Cadbury began mass-producing biscuits in the 19th and early 20th centuries, solidifying their place in the everyday lives of Britons.

Biscuits in British Culture

The biscuit holds a special place in British culture, more than just a sweet snack. It is an everyday companion to tea, part of family traditions, and often a nostalgic comfort food for many. From chocolate-covered digestives to shortbread and ginger nuts, biscuits are often at the center of conversations, tea breaks, and social gatherings.

Many UK households have a biscuit tin, and offering someone a "cuppa" tea with biscuits is a sign of hospitality. The biscuit dunking tradition, where people dip their biscuits into tea to soften them and enhance their flavor, is also a well-known and beloved habit across the UK.

Popular Types of Biscuits

Here are some of the most iconic biscuits enjoyed in the UK:

1. Digestive Biscuits: Perhaps the most famous British biscuit, originally created in the 19th century by Scottish doctors as a digestive aid. Today, they are enjoyed plain, covered in chocolate, or as a base for cheesecakes.

2. Hobnobs: Known for their oaty texture and crumbly consistency, hobnobs are a popular choice for dunking in tea due to their sturdiness.

3. Rich Tea: A lighter, crisp biscuit, often seen as the quintessential tea-dunking biscuit in the UK.

4. Bourbons: A chocolate-flavored sandwich biscuit with a sweet filling, the bourbon is a classic in British lunchboxes and snack cupboards.

5. Custard Creams: These biscuits consist of a cream-like vanilla filling sandwiched between two sweet biscuits with a distinctive floral pattern.

6. Jammie Dodgers: A shortcake biscuit with a jam filling, often shaped with a heart window showing the jam inside, loved by both children and adults.

7. Shortbread: A traditional Scottish biscuit made with butter, sugar, and flour, often enjoyed during festive occasions and afternoon tea.

8. Ginger Nuts: Known for their spicy ginger flavor and crunchy texture, ginger nuts are another biscuit that holds up well to dunking.

How National Biscuit Day is Celebrated

National Biscuit Day offers an opportunity for biscuit lovers to indulge in their favorites, try new varieties, or even bake their own biscuits at home. Some ways people in the UK celebrate include:

• Biscuit Tasting and Sharing: Families and friends often celebrate by sharing a selection of biscuits, whether homemade or store-bought, enjoying different flavors and textures.

• Biscuit Baking: Enthusiasts may take to the kitchen to bake traditional or innovative biscuits, experimenting with recipes for classics like shortbread, ginger nuts, or oat biscuits.

• Biscuit and Tea Pairing: Given that biscuits are synonymous with tea time in the UK, many people celebrate National Biscuit Day by pairing their biscuits with their favorite teas. Tea and biscuit pairings have become an art form, with certain biscuits favored for their ability to absorb just the right amount of tea without falling apart.

• Social Media Celebrations: Many brands and fans celebrate National Biscuit Day on social media with fun facts, biscuit-related trivia, and competitions to find out the nation’s favorite biscuit.

• Biscuit Brands Promotions: Popular biscuit manufacturers such as McVitie's, Fox’s, and Jacob’s often run promotions or special offers to mark the occasion. Supermarkets and local shops may also feature special displays or discounts on a range of biscuits.

Fun Facts About Biscuits in the UK

• Biscuit or Cookie?: While Americans use the term "cookie" to refer to sweet baked treats, in the UK, "biscuit" is the preferred term. However, certain soft, chewy varieties, such as chocolate chip cookies, are referred to as cookies in Britain.

• The Dunking Debate: The art of biscuit dunking is a serious affair in the UK, with some biscuits like hobnobs and rich tea gaining popularity for their structural integrity when dipped in tea.

• Biscuit vs. Cake: There was a legal case in the UK about whether Jaffa Cakes are considered biscuits or cakes for VAT purposes. The court ruled they are cakes due to the way they harden when stale, unlike biscuits, which soften.

• McVitie's Digestives: One of the most iconic British biscuits, McVitie's Digestives, was created in 1892 and remains one of the top-selling biscuits in the UK. The chocolate digestive variant is a favorite among many Brits.

The Biscuit Industry

The biscuit industry in the UK is a multi-million-pound sector, with popular brands and local bakeries alike contributing to the variety available in shops. British biscuits are exported around the world, allowing people in other countries to enjoy the distinctive flavors and styles of traditional UK biscuits.

National Biscuit Day not only celebrates the love of biscuits but also acknowledges the cultural and economic significance of biscuits in the UK. It's a day to indulge, appreciate the diverse range of biscuits, and enjoy a tradition that has spanned generations.